1. Describe the stasis in the play: where, when, who, what, etc. in a paragraph.
The play is set on an Indian reserve that the women call "Wasy" on an island off of Ontario. The play follows Pelajla Patchnose, her sister Philomena, and their group of girlfriends along with one of their adopted daughters. It is late in the summer of 1986 and the women are hopeful about making money through a bingo game in Toronto.
2. What is the intrusion?
The intrusion happens when Veronique learns of the Big Bingo and Gazelle. This begins a large fight between all of the friends but it also leads to them working together for their trip.
3. What is the unique factor?
The unique factor of the play is the fact that all of the characters are women, and their tendency to gossip leads them to not get along, which sparks a lot of action and argument throughout the play.
4. What is the dramatic question that should be answered by the end of the play?
Will the women work together to make money? Where are the husbands? Will they all be destined to stay on the reserve forever? We learn that the women are able to work together and get along long enough to make it to the climax of the play. The husbands are all drunk or working, leaving the women to all fend for themselves at all times. The answer of destiny is not answered quite yet, but Pelajla still discusses leaving in the end. The only one who escaped forever was Marie-Adele, but that's only because she died.
5. Provide an illustration of the two kinds of exposition that the play has in it.
The first exposition is the obvious one at the beginning that introduces us to the characters and the setting. The next exposition comes when the women start working so they can make enough money to go on their trip to Toronto, which is the beginning of a new setting and also where the climax takes place.
6. Identify the most theatrical moment in the play and of what importance it seems to be.
The most theatrical moment in the play is when the women are setting up the sales to make money for their trip. The scene is full of action, stress, emotions, and business, all without using words. There are multiple things going on at once and it all seems to get faster and faster until it is completely hysterical then comes to a quick halt.
7. List some of the themes of the play.
One important theme of the play is togetherness. The women all have their differences, but they are able to work things out together so they can get where they want to be. Another theme is the importance of culture. The women all embrace the indian culture by using the language and discussing "nanabush", but they also complain of it because the way indians have been treated by the nations that kicked them off the land, they're in poverty and the people have turned to other things like alcohol and sex.
8. What does the chief character want and what are some obstacles that stand in the way of her getting what she wants?
The main character, Pelajla, wants to go to Toronto. The things holding her back are money, the difference in lifestyle, and the people she knows from home. Wasy is her home but she also does not love it. She wants change for her town so she can be happy there, but she is not because of lack of funding and support.
9. Describe some possible images in the play and how does the title help us understand the play.
The first image we see is the rooftop, and the views that come with is. It begins with the two sisters together, so we already get the feel for the role of the females and the "sisters" whether they are blood or not. Another image is the fight in the store, when all the women are yelling at each other and even getting physical. This gives a sense of tension and strong emotion through the actions and expressions of the women. We see the opposite when the women are in the van on their way to Toronto, sleeping or singing. The last image is the Big Bingo, where there is a lot of fun, noise, and hysteria until Marie-Adele gets taken away dramatically by Nanabush.
10. Briefly define the family relationships that are examined in the play.
Family relationships are defined in different ways. The families of these women play a very small part, but these women seem to be each other's family as they support each other but also disagree. The family life seems almost unimportant to these women because their husbands are either gone or their kids have moved away. These women play the role of family for each other in the play, which seems to keep them in Wasy.
The play is set on an Indian reserve that the women call "Wasy" on an island off of Ontario. The play follows Pelajla Patchnose, her sister Philomena, and their group of girlfriends along with one of their adopted daughters. It is late in the summer of 1986 and the women are hopeful about making money through a bingo game in Toronto.
2. What is the intrusion?
The intrusion happens when Veronique learns of the Big Bingo and Gazelle. This begins a large fight between all of the friends but it also leads to them working together for their trip.
3. What is the unique factor?
The unique factor of the play is the fact that all of the characters are women, and their tendency to gossip leads them to not get along, which sparks a lot of action and argument throughout the play.
4. What is the dramatic question that should be answered by the end of the play?
Will the women work together to make money? Where are the husbands? Will they all be destined to stay on the reserve forever? We learn that the women are able to work together and get along long enough to make it to the climax of the play. The husbands are all drunk or working, leaving the women to all fend for themselves at all times. The answer of destiny is not answered quite yet, but Pelajla still discusses leaving in the end. The only one who escaped forever was Marie-Adele, but that's only because she died.
5. Provide an illustration of the two kinds of exposition that the play has in it.
The first exposition is the obvious one at the beginning that introduces us to the characters and the setting. The next exposition comes when the women start working so they can make enough money to go on their trip to Toronto, which is the beginning of a new setting and also where the climax takes place.
6. Identify the most theatrical moment in the play and of what importance it seems to be.
The most theatrical moment in the play is when the women are setting up the sales to make money for their trip. The scene is full of action, stress, emotions, and business, all without using words. There are multiple things going on at once and it all seems to get faster and faster until it is completely hysterical then comes to a quick halt.
7. List some of the themes of the play.
One important theme of the play is togetherness. The women all have their differences, but they are able to work things out together so they can get where they want to be. Another theme is the importance of culture. The women all embrace the indian culture by using the language and discussing "nanabush", but they also complain of it because the way indians have been treated by the nations that kicked them off the land, they're in poverty and the people have turned to other things like alcohol and sex.
8. What does the chief character want and what are some obstacles that stand in the way of her getting what she wants?
The main character, Pelajla, wants to go to Toronto. The things holding her back are money, the difference in lifestyle, and the people she knows from home. Wasy is her home but she also does not love it. She wants change for her town so she can be happy there, but she is not because of lack of funding and support.
9. Describe some possible images in the play and how does the title help us understand the play.
The first image we see is the rooftop, and the views that come with is. It begins with the two sisters together, so we already get the feel for the role of the females and the "sisters" whether they are blood or not. Another image is the fight in the store, when all the women are yelling at each other and even getting physical. This gives a sense of tension and strong emotion through the actions and expressions of the women. We see the opposite when the women are in the van on their way to Toronto, sleeping or singing. The last image is the Big Bingo, where there is a lot of fun, noise, and hysteria until Marie-Adele gets taken away dramatically by Nanabush.
10. Briefly define the family relationships that are examined in the play.
Family relationships are defined in different ways. The families of these women play a very small part, but these women seem to be each other's family as they support each other but also disagree. The family life seems almost unimportant to these women because their husbands are either gone or their kids have moved away. These women play the role of family for each other in the play, which seems to keep them in Wasy.